Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei – V2 – Bangaihen Translation Notes

Greetings all. While I did leave the terminology mostly intact, I took the liberty of translating rather liberally based on my understanding of the “science” behind all the “magic” that I gained after reading the first twelve volumes multiple times at different times (albeit in English). Hence, they will be described differently to Baka-Tsuki’s glossary page which has not been updated in a while (I believe), nor has it been standardised.

The main point of this page is due to my desire to translate the glossary (anew) and in particular, the 10 Master Clans entry. Satou Tsutomu-sensei has already named all the 28 families. Also of note, is that this entry is included in the Light Novels as well. Do note that there is a potential for the readings or characters to change at the author’s whims. Furthermore, I have expressed the names using a mix of the “word-processor” and a more conventional romanisation. I may end up choosing a different one for canon.

The issue is that their names can have multiple translations and deciding on one myself is almost surely wrong. Listing them all:

三日月（みかづき） – Read as “Mikazuki”, the characters together mean “new moon” or “crescent moon” but individually mean “three days and nights”, “three suns and moons” and can perhaps refer to “three days” or “three years” even.

Of note is the family which has the name of “four” – a Japanese (and Chinese) sign for bad luck due to one of its readings being the same as “death” – of which there is only one family with that number.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!

Furthermore, Saegusa’s name is of note. It is not a conventional reading for the characters, which, as Mayumi aptly describes at the very beginning of the series as “read as Nana Kusa (seven grass) but read as Saegusa”. This is due to the Saegusas (七草) originally being Saegusa (三枝). 三枝– “Three branches”, “three twigs” or “three limbs”, in general, 3 long, thin objects. Their change in number sets the events of Volume 12’s story in motion.

CLICK FOR SPOILER

Furthermore, Saegusa’s name is of note. It is not a conventional reading for the characters, which, as Mayumi aptly describes at the very beginning of the series as “read as Nana Kusa (seven grass) but read as Saegusa”. This is due to the Saegusas (七草) originally being Saegusa (三枝). 三枝– “Three branches”, “three twigs” or “three limbs”, in general, 3 long, thin objects. Their change in number sets the events of Volume 12’s story in motion.